Real Madrid will make the short trip to Leganés on Sunday with the aim of closing the gap on Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
The Whites have endured a difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign by their own admittedly lofty standards, but a Beating Osasuna 4-0 before the international break in November he gave a breather after two consecutive defeats at the Santiago Bernabéu. Vinicius Junior served up a hat-trick and Jude Bellingham finally scored for Spain and Europe’s defenders.
Leganés, who were promoted back to La Liga last season for the first time since 2019/20, have made a positive start to the campaign and are looking for just their third win against Real Madrid. Borja Jimenez’s men have won three of their last four outings and have proved a tough team to beat this season.
here it is 90 minutes guide to a local affair.
Leganés vs Real Madrid head-to-head record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Leganes |
Real Madrid |
|---|---|
|
Leganes 1-0 Sevilla – 09/11/24 |
Real Madrid 4-0 Osasuna – 24/11/09 |
|
Girona 4-3 Leganes – 02/11/24 |
Real Madrid 1-3 Milan – 24/11/05 |
|
Ciutat Lucena 1-2 Leganes – 30/10/24 |
Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona – 26/10/24 |
|
Leganes 3-0 Celta Vigo – 27/10/24 |
Borussia Dortmund – Real Madrid 5-2 – 22/10/24 |
|
Atlético Madrid 3-1 Leganes – 20/10/24 |
Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid – 19/10/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
Premier Sports 1, Premier Sports Player, LaLigaTV |
|
united states |
ESPN+, fuboTV, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes |
|
canada |
TSN+ |
Leganés have several injury concerns ahead of the visit of Real Madrid, with Renato Tapia and Enric Franquesa unavailable after picking up injuries in the last-gasp 1-0 win against Sevilla. Winger Daniel Raba is also a doubt having been missing since the win over Celta de Vigo at the end of October.
Elsewhere, there are unlikely to be many changes from the team that triumphed over Sevilla, with former Borussia Dortmund and West Ham United striker Sebastien Haller likely to start on the bench as he awaits his first goal in Leganes
Leganés expected line-up against Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; Altimira, Gonzalez, Nastasic, Hernandez; Chicco, Cisse; Cruz, Brasanac, Munir; From the Source
Real Madrid’s injury problems worsened before the international break in November Eder Militao tore his ACL in the victory against Osasuna. The Brazilian, who suffered the same injury last season, will be out for the rest of the campaign.
Lucas Vázquez also picked up a muscle injury against Osasuna, leaving Carlo Ancelotti short at right-back with Dani Carvajal out for the rest of the season. Federico Valverde could be drafted in as an emergency option this weekend.
David Alaba continues to recover from an ACL problem and is unlikely to return this calendar year, while makeshift centre-back Aurelien Tchouameni is also out with an ankle problem. Speedy Rodrygo joins the crowd on the sidelines after picking up a muscle injury against Osasuna.
In more positive news, Thibaut Courtois could return between the sticks this weekend having been absent since Champions League victory by 5-2 about Dortmund.
Real Madrid predicted the lineup against Leganés (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Diaz, Mbappé, Vinicius.
Leganes will be encouraged by the length of Real Madridthe injury list and will see the visitors’ right wing as an area to cheer about. The hosts are not prolific goalscorers, but have scored seven goals in their last three La Liga games.
However, even with a mountain of absentees, Real Madrid still have a terrifying starting line-up. Vinicius is in impressive form, Kylian Mbappe is well rested and Bellingham have found some confidence afterwards ending his scoring drought.
All these factors point to an away win as Ancelotti’s side look to gain ground classic enemies of Barcelona in the race for the title.
